Having grown up in Point Loma during a time where there were dirt streets, no sidewalks and nearly all the residents owned horses, Susanne Friestedt’s passion for the rich history of San Diego starts at her roots. Downtown’s Edward J Schwartz Courthouse was named after Friestedt’s late father, the former chief federal judge for San Diego, and was at one point the judge’s own kindergarten school.
“One of our neighbors even had a lama,” said Friestedt of her childhood home. “It was very rural. The houses between Catalina and Point Loma Nazarene didn’t even exist yet.”
Friestedt is the founder of Open House San Diego, an annual city-wide tour of the region’s unique architectural works from office buildings to local homes and from city gardens to coastal sculptures. Friestedt, having run her own marketing communications firm for many years, was searching for what she calls her “legacy project,” when she came across an article on Open House Worldwide.
“It talked about cities in Europe that opened sites of all kinds that were free to the public on the weekend and it deeply resonated with me,” said Friestedt. “The idea of taking an international concept and applying it to our specific community was really appealing.”
San Diego’s first Open House was in 2015 where Friestedt, partnering with the San Diego Architectural Foundation, showcased around 39 sites and hosted roughly 1,300 visitors. This year, March 24-25, 84 sites are on the menu to tour in Balboa Park, Gaslamp, Downtown, Barrio Logan, Point Loma, East Village and Bankers Hill. Friestedt expects more than 10,000 guests, who will each receive a passport and program guide at the beginning of the tour. For each site they visit, attendees will receive a stamp in their travel book.
“We encourage students to come, because they are our future architects and urban designers,” said Friestedt. “We’re educating and engaging the public about the best of our architecture and urban design. Our city has a rich history and brilliant, talented people at the sites we’re opening. We want to support them and publicize the wonderful work they’re doing.”
Each site that is showcased has a unique public purpose and story behind it. One such building is Moniker Commons in Liberty Station. Once a manufacturing building, the space has been transformed into a highly functional shared workspace. The designers also incorporated repurposed wood from a 1920s downtown warehouse and used custom-poured colored concrete tile. Community manager Brian Tustin says that their building being featured in OH! SD is humbling.
“We've been around for one year and having San Diego Architecture Foundation include us in the mix of the 84 most beautiful buildings in SD, we're so honored,” said Tustin.
In addition, the historic North Chapel in Liberty Station and Point Loma’s oldest residence, The Living Room coffee shop, will also be featured on the tours, along with Point Loma Nazarene University, which is home to the first Greek amphitheater built in the U.S. and the 32,900-square-foot Science Center (Latter Hall and Sator Hall) with its iconic curved stainless-steel screens, laser cut with Alpha and Omega symbols.
OH! SD will also showcase sculptures such as Pearl of the Pacific on Shelter Island, which is a part of the Pacific Rim Park Project that has created a large necklace of sculptural pearl parks in Tijuana, Russia, China, South Korea, the Philippines and Tauwan.
“As human beings, one thing that makes us unique is the structures that we build for where we work, live and play,” said Friestedt. “We want to honor the best of those creations and help elevate the public’s sense of what good design is.”
OH! SD is still looking for more volunteers. Those interested can contact Carol Chin at carol@sdarchitecture.org. For more information about the event, go to sdarchitecture.org.
Open House San Diego
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 24-25.
Where: The participating sites are located in downtown San Diego, Bankers Hill, Barrio Logan and Point Loma. Most sites are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but some have limited hours. Most sites offer open access or self-guided tours. Some offer regularly scheduled guided tours on a first-come, first-served basis. Others may require advance reservations. All are free.
Info: sdarchitecture.org.

Ocean Beach Elementary fourth-grader Eden Carter, 9, knew when she took a sunset photo as a passenger heading down palm tree-lined Newport Avenue that it was one of those “wow” shots, which has since gone viral.
The Carters at the time were on their way to the martial arts studio where Eden works out.
“My mom said, ‘Look at the sunset.’ I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, I need to take a picture of this,’” Eden said. “It wasn’t anything I was planning on doing it. It just happened. It was a perfect picture.”
Eden said her grandpa told her he is going to enter it into a photo contest at this year’s San Diego County Fair in Del Mar.
“It is very exciting,” said Eden.
Eden’s dad, Bob Carter, described Eden as “very creative, imaginative and artistic.” He added, “She also plays the guitar and wants to be a cowgirl.”
Eden took the photo with her smart phone.
“I guess we can thank Qualcomm for that,” said her dad.

Mission Bay students gathered in front of the school on Grand Avenue carrying signs and chanting ‘We want change,’ ‘All these guns have got to go,’ and ‘No more silence, end all violence,’ as part of the national protest against gun violence at schools. / All photos by Dave Schwab

Thousands of San Diego County students walked out of classes this morning (March 14) as part of a nationwide action in memory of the 17 people killed in last month's school shooting in Florida and urge federal action to curb gun violence.
Students at Mission Bay High School gathered at 10 a.m. as part of the national protest against gun violence at schools. The national protest was scheduled on the day of the one-month anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., which took the lives of 17 people.
The Mission Bay protest began on a grass field in the rear of the school, with students then proceeding through campus to stand out front of the school on Grand Avenue. Students traded off carrying a bullhorn leading chants including “We want change,” “All these guns have got to go” and “No more silence, end all violence.”
Many cars passing by on Grand Avenue honked supporting the cause of the students and their right to protest peacefully. The demonstration last 18 minutes, which included one minute of silence, and one minute each for the 17 victims of the Florida shooting.

Cirque du Soleil’s new creation, “Crystal by Cirque du Soleil,” explores the creative and artistic attributes of a show performed on and above ice.
Specifically created for arenas, the state-of-the-art production will create a fresh and innovative experience, pushing the boundaries by combining outstanding skating and sliding, remarkable aesthetics and acrobatic feats that defy the imagination.
“Crystal” opens in San Diego with seven performances at the Valley View Casino Center, at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., from March 21 to 25.
Crystal, the show’s main character, sets out on an exhilarating quest to fulfill her destiny as she dives into a world of her own imagination. She soars through this surreal world at high speed to become what she was always destined to be: confident, freed, empowered.
Synchronized skating, freestyle, figure, and extreme skating are featured alongside circus disciplines such as swinging trapeze, aerial straps and hand to hand. The result is an adrenaline-packed show for the whole family that pushes the boundaries and surpasses all expectations.
“After many years as an athlete and a professional ice skater; I wasn’t sure where my career would take me. A creation like Crystal means a lot to me since I get to be part of something new that had never been done before. I see it as a good transition between being an artist/athlete,” said Shawn Sawyer, a figure skater in the show.
“San Diego is a city that I always wanted to visit. I am excited to put on my skates and perform for our fans in San Diego. I look forward to enjoying some time off to wander and discover this city,” Sawyer said.
“Crystal” is Cirque du Soleil’s 42nd original production since 1984. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 180 million spectators in more than 450 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has more than 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from 50 different countries.
For tickets and more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.
Show schedule:
Wednesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 24 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m and 5 p.m.

With dockless bikes of every color and style – along with motorized scooters – seemingly everywhere all at once, the Ocean Beach Planning Board invited representatives from the companies to its March 7 meeting to answer questions about the businesses – as communities try to find a solution to regulate the vehicles.
Representatives from two of four local dockless vehicle-sharing companies – Bird and Ofo – attended. LimeBikes was invited but was a no show. Mobike is another recent market entry.
“The intent of this forum is to talk about the rollout of these new bike programs, so we’ve reached out inviting speakers from the companies to answer questions about policy, infrastructure, safety and other concerns,” said OBPB chair John Ambert.
Carl Hansen spoke for the black-hued electric, stand-up Bird scooters, which are increasingly dominating the coastal landscape. Hansen said Bird and competitors are offering something new and different.
“We want to provide as many options to gas-guzzling, carbon-generating cars as possible that are dockless and easily accessible,” said Hansen. “We need to make sure these new transportation choices are convenient, while being thoughtful about how we interact with the communities.”
Anna Wan Christie, of the yellow Ofo bikes, billed as the world’s original and largest station-free bike-sharing platform, which is in more than 20 countries, talked about bikeshare’s purpose.
“We want to provide that first- and last-mile transportation for people to get them out of their cars for the good of the environment,” said Wan Christie. “We want to be good neighbors with everybody.”
Dockless bikes are operated and locked by a smartphone app that employs GPS technology. Operators said all they are required to have, to be legal, is a city business license. Dockless bikes currently cost approximately $1 to $2 per-hour to rent.
Both dockless reps responded to criticism their products are strewn helter-skelter making them eyesores and safety hazards. The reps claimed their bikes are picked up each evening after-hours, stored centrally off-street, then redistributed early the next day.
OBPB was split on its attitude toward the new dockless vehicles. Some members were receptive to them in principle. But others, like Richard Aguirre, were sour on the new alternative-transportation mode.
“You [bike share operators] don’t pay taxes like brick-and-mortar businesses that you’re coming in and competing with, crushing them and putting them out of business,” Aguirre said. “We need our small businesses.
“We don’t need corporate bike-share coming in here fleecing our community. You’re trying to take over the whole market. That’s not the way it should be. I hope someone stops you vultures.”
“It costs a lot to buy and maintain bikes. These dockless rentals are undercutting guys like myself,” said a traditional beach bike shop owner from the audience.
Board member Craig Klein didn’t see how the dockless business model can be sustainable.
“This tech stuff, $1 an hour … It just doesn’t seem like your investors are going to get their money back,” Klein said.
Klein also asked why dockless providers weren’t concerned about their bikes being stolen – or scavenged in coastal communities where bike theft is rampant. Wan Christie, of Ofo, said theft of GPS-tracked bikes hasn’t thus far been an issue.
After an unsuccessful motion to ask the city to restrict dockless bike share rentals to locals, OBPB opted instead to ask the city for a tentative timeline on crafting a new set of regulations governing their operation. They also voted to present the city with recommendations to reign in dockless bike share programs.
“I’ve got a whole list,” said Ambert.

SeaWorld San Diego sees sinking revenuesAttendance and revenues at SeaWorld San Diego are tanking as the marine park battles efforts to force it to stop housing killer whales. The company’s struggles are hitting its San Diego park hard, ...

Maruta Gardner recognized by City CouncilSan Diego City Council and District 2 councilmember Lorie Zapf recently proclaimed Nov. 3 as Maruta Gardner Day. The proclamation was given in recognition of Gardner's years of service to the commu...

Convicted murderer receives 247 year sentenceA parolee has been sentenced to 247 years to life in state prison for killing a man in Linda Vista and wounding another man in La Jolla over a drug debt. The maximum sentence was handed down to Jos...

Forecast: Don't get out the woolies just yetThe gusty wind and rain affecting parts of San Diego County this morning are easing up ahead of a warming trend that will extend into the upcoming weekend. A National Weather Service wind advisory ...

Pacific Beach Rec Center’s Spring Egg Hunt The Pacific Beach Recreation Center’s Spring Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event is open to the public. There will be arts, crafts, games, photo opportunit...